News5th March 2018

Virgin Media get smart about energy consumption

About this project

enModus, the smart building solutions company, has successfully implemented a project with Virgin Media to radically reduce energy consumption at one of the telecom giant’s major UK technical facilities. The undisclosed site supports more than 250,000 homes.

The project has seen a proportion of the existing fluorescent lighting switched to the enModus Smart Connected Lighting solution. Using real-time measurement, Virgin Media has validated a total energy saving of 99% against the replaced light fittings. The energy reductions have been achieved by intelligently controlling the lighting levels.

In addition, less heat released from the lighting means the cooling systems can be run more efficiently to keep the required temperature at the site. Carbon emissions have dropped by 2,445kg per year, meaning both substantial cost savings and a significant improvement in the environmental impact of the facility.

Before the installation of enModus’ smart light solution, the existing fluorescent lighting was turned on at the beginning of each shift even though these spaces were only infrequently used by maintenance staff.

How enModus helped

enModus replaced the lights with Thorn Aquaforce II LED units installed with an enModus Node. The Node communicates across the existing power cables to the enModus Hub, connected via the internet to the enModus Cloud Platform. The Hub sends control commands, and in return, the nodes communicate measured and sensed information in real-time to create highly accurate real-time energy measurement and allow light activation only when occupancy is detected. This system also provides much-needed insights into how different spaces are used.

As well as Virgin Media, enModus is working with major UK customers including retail supply-chain business Catalyst and Volvo-owned Scottish manufacturer Terex Trucks.

Andy Heaton, CEO and co-founder of enModus, said: “It’s a coup for a start-up to be chosen as a partner of a leading UK business like Virgin Media on such an important project. Energy efficiency improvements are at the top of the agenda for companies as they strive to not only reduce costs but improve their environmental impact and meet increasingly strict regulations on building efficiencies.

The project with Virgin Media is an example of how our powerline-based control solution—Wattwave—is gaining traction. As well as saving money and reducing CO2 emissions, companies can deploy our solution without the need for expensive refits as it uses existing cabling infrastructure. Smart lighting is just one application. Once installed, we enable a building-wide communications network that can deliver other benefits including detailed intelligence on building occupancy and ultimately control over other electrically-connected assets and electrical circuits.